“We had to get rid of all our perishables, all our meat, produce, deli, frozen, bakery and we just couldn’t overcome the loss,” Paczkowski said.

WCBS 880’s Jim Smith reported Paczkowksi’s father opened the store back in 1928. The family run business has been struggling throughout the current recession, but only now the doors are closing.

Lifelong Foodtown shoppers were shocked and saddened by the announcement, many of them wondered what impact the store’s closing would have on the community.

“A lot of them [senior citizens] walk here, they’re not going to be walking to a local grocery anytime soon,” said a man named Jim.

The store will be remembered as a cornerstone of the community in South Amboy and Sayreville, where every year around the holidays residents would take their children to Foodtown to see a live band play while they met Santa Claus.

More than 40 workers will be out of jobs when the store closes. As for Paczkowski, he said: “‘I’m up in age so it doesn’t matter too much. I’m more concerned about my kids.”

Paczkowski said that after his store closes, he plans to spend more time with his grandchildren.

Were you a regular customer at the Foodtown in South Amboy? Let us know in our comments section below…